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Unaudited interims: 6 months to 30 September 2015

19th Nov 2015 07:00

RNS Number : 2324G
Avarae Global Coins PLC
19 November 2015
 



19 November 2015

 

AVARAE GLOBAL COINS PLC

 

UNAUDITED INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2015

 

London (AIM: AVR):- Avarae Global Coins plc ("Avarae" or the "Company"), the UK's only publicly traded specialist company dedicated to investing in rare and high quality coins, is pleased to announce its unaudited interim results for the six months to 30 September 2015.

 

Highlights for the period include:

 

· Net asset value per share of 14.5p at period end (30 September 2014: 14.3p);

 

· Additions to the portfolio of £514,000 in the period (H1 2014: £276,000), including a small number of very high quality rarities.

 

· Carrying value of coin inventory of £10,956,000 at the period end (H1 2014: £10,808,000);

 

· Net cash balance of £850,000 at period end (H1 2014: £779,000);

 

· Sales for the six month period of £723,000 (H1 2014: £81,000); and

 

· Loss on ordinary activities for the period of £180,000 (H1 2014: loss £207,000).

 

Commenting, Diane Clarke, Director of Avarae, said:

 

"The first half of the current financial year has been a particularly active one for Avarae, with a significant rebalancing and concentration of the portfolio towards higher value coins resulting in a reduction in the number of coins held by almost one fifth. This, together with a strong balance sheet and an anticipated reduction of administrative costs going forward, means that the directors remain positive about the Company's future prospects both for the current year and longer term."

 

 

For further information on Avarae Global Coins plc, please contact:

 

Diane Clarke/Matt Wood

+44 (0)16 2461 5614

Avarae Global Coins plc

Paul Shackleton/Nick Prowting

+44 (0)20 7220 1666

WH Ireland Ltd

Toby Hall

+44 (0)7713 341072

GTH Communications Limited - Financial PR

 

Directors' Report

 

Introduction

 

We are pleased to present the unaudited interim results of Avarae Global Coins plc ("Avarae" or the "Company") for the six months ended 30 September 2015. During the period under review, the Company continued to manage its portfolio of rare and high quality coins, disposing of a significant number of lower value coins and replacing them with a small number of higher quality rarities. In line with the Company's stated strategy, no revaluation of the coin portfolio has been undertaken for the Company's interim results.

 

Avarae provides access for institutions and individuals wanting to diversify their investment portfolios away from the traditional asset classes, such as equities, property or bonds without the need to be an expert in the coin-collecting sector. The Board's strategy is to invest actively in the rarest and highest quality segment of the coin-collecting sector in various countries around the world. We have built up and are continually adding to an impressive portfolio of extremely high quality, rare coins which we intend to hold predominantly for the long-term (i.e. 3 to 5 years). The aim is to achieve capital growth for our shareholders, while also taking advantage of short-term trading opportunities, as the market for rare coins continues to grow. We also intend, where possible, to provide income to our Shareholders through the regular payment of dividends. Since listing in 2006, the Company has returned more than £0.5 million in dividends.

 

The coin-dealing sector

 

Activity in the rare coin market remained positive in the period to 30 September 2015, although as noted in our full year results released earlier in the year, in-depth knowledge of the market remains the key to success given the changing dynamics of the market. The numismatic industry continues to witness an influx of new buyers looking for tangible assets and fresh areas to place their money, as traditional asset classes often fail to deliver robust financial gains and continue to exhibit high volatility. The majority of the funds coming into the numismatic market continue to target the higher value coin rarities, which adds considerable pressure on availability. While this trend is good for existing holders of high quality coins, it can be challenging to obtain new pieces to add to the portfolio.

 

Avarae's investments

 

In the six month period to 30 September 2015, the Company was particularly active, acquiring approximately £514,000 worth of coins (H1 2014: £276,000) and disposing of coins for approximately £723,000 (H1 2014: £81,000). The Company disposed of a significant number of lower value coins (approximately 150 coins) replacing them with a small number of very high quality rarities.

 

Examples of coins acquired during the year include:

 

· A mint state US Continental Dollar dated 1776 struck in pewter;

 

· An extremely rare Edward IV, Gold Ryal struck at the Norwich mint;

 

· One of the finest known Charles II, Five Guinea pieces; and

 

· A mint state James I, gold Spur Ryal.

 

 

Financial Results

 

Sales were significantly higher at £723,000 compared to the same period last year (H1 2014: £81,000), generating a gross profit of £24,000 (H1 2014: £9,000 loss) at the half year.

 

The Directors are pleased with the activity in the period. Historically, the Company's second half of its financial year has always been its stronger half in terms of both sales value and the level of gross profit generated. The usual higher sales value in the second half of the year is primarily due to there being a higher number of coin auctions in the second half of the year, whereas the usual higher gross profits generated in H2 is due entirely to the Company's policy of recording the value of coins sold between 1 April and the date of signing the audited accounts for that financial year ("pre-audit sign off sales") at their actual sales price at the year-end (31 March). As a result, all pre-audit sign off sales are recorded in the subsequent interim results with zero gross profit, because profit on those sales has been reflected in the previous year end revaluation. Nevertheless, all coins sold in the interim period to 30 September 2015 were sold at prices higher than their cost price with sales of the English hammered gold coins returning compound annual returns in excess of 10%.

 

Administrative expenses, which are always tightly controlled, were comparable to the same period last year, at £204,000 (H1 2014: £198,000). The resulting net loss after tax (before dividends of £121,000) for the period was £180,000 (H1 2014: loss of £207,000), equating to a loss per share of 0.22 pence (H1 2014: loss per share of 0.26 pence).

 

Importantly, on 17 November 2015, at the Directors' discretion, the Company terminated its management services agreement ("MSA") with Noble Investments (UK) Plc ("Noble") which it had entered into at the time of the Company's admission to trading on AIM in May 2006 and under which the Company paid a quarterly retainer fee to Noble. The Directors may continue to utilise the services of Noble and its subsidiaries in the future but this will be on a case by case basis with fees to be agreed at the time. Accordingly, the Directors anticipate that, through terminating the MSA, the Company should be able to reduce its annual administration costs considerably for the benefit of all shareholders.

 

Avarae proposed a final dividend on 24 August 2015 of 0.15p per share (2014: 0.15p per share), which, following approval by the Company's shareholders at the AGM held on 23 September 2015, resulted in a payment to shareholders in September 2015 of £121,175 (October 2014: £121,175). As with the last interim period, no dividend has been declared in respect of the interim period.

 

In line with our stated strategy, the Company only undertakes its portfolio revaluation exercise at the end of each financial year (31 March), rather than mid-year and, only then, revaluing coins that have been held by the Company for more than 12 months. Accordingly, the £514,000 of coins acquired in the period under review, together with the £320,000 of coins acquired during the year ended 31 March 2015, remain valued at cost. The total value of the coin portfolio at the period end was £10.96 million (30 Sept 2014: £10.8 million), spread across more than 800 coins.

 

The Company ended the period under review with net cash of £850,000 (30 September 2014: £779,000) and no borrowings. The higher cash balance is primarily as a result positive movements in working capital in the period. Trade and other receivables were £0.05 million at the period end (H1 2014: £1.2 million) and payables at £0.15 million (H1 2014: £1.3 million).

 

At the period end, the Company had net assets of £11.7 million (30 September 2014: £11.5 million), resulting in a net asset value per Ordinary Share of 14.5p (30 September 2014: 14.3p).

 

Director changes

 

On 23 September 2015, Mr Guus Berting, a non-executive director of the Company, stepped down from the board after 7 years' service. The board would like to express its thanks to Mr Berting for his services to the Company during this period.

 

Outlook

 

The first half of the current financial year has been a particularly active one for Avarae, with a significant rebalancing and concentration of the portfolio towards higher value coins resulting in a reduction in the number of coins held by almost one fifth. This, together with a strong balance sheet and an anticipated reduction of administrative costs going forward, means the directors remain positive about the Company's future prospects both for the current year and longer term.

 

18 November 2015

Directors

Avarae Global Coins plc

 

Unaudited Income Statementfrom 1 April 2015 to 30 September 2015

 

 

1 April 15

to 30 Sept 15

1 April 14

 to 30 Sept 14

1 April 14

to 31 Mar 15

 

 

Unaudited

Unaudited

Audited

 

Note

£'000

£'000

£'000

Revenue

Sales

723

81

626

Cost of Sales

 

(699)

(90)

(425)

Coin revaluation

 

-

-

618

 

 

----

----

----

Gross profit/(loss)

 

24

(9)

819

 

 

Administrative expenses

 

(204)

(198)

(440)

 

 

----

----

----

(Loss)/Profit on ordinary activities before:

 

(180)

(207)

379

Finance income

 

-

-

1

 

 

----

----

----

(Loss)/Profit on ordinary activities before tax

 

(180)

(207)

380

Tax on (loss)/profit on ordinary activities

-

-

-

 

 

----

----

----

(Loss)/Profit on ordinary activities after taxation

 

(180)

(207)

380

Dividends

 

(121)

-

(121)

 

 

----

----

----

Retained (loss)/profit for the period

(301)

(207)

259

----

----

----

(Loss)/Earnings per share

2

(0.22)p

(0.26)p

0.47p

There were no recognised gains or losses other than the loss for the period.

 

Unaudited Balance Sheet

as at 30 September 2015

 

 

As at

30 Sept 15

As at

30 Sept 14

As at

31 Mar 15

 

 

Unaudited

Unaudited

Audited

 

Note

£'000

£'000

£'000

Assets

 

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

Coin inventory

3

10,956

10,808

11,141

Trade and other receivables

4

45

1,203

105

Cash at bank

 

850

779

882

 

 

----

----

----

Total Assets

 

11,851

12,790

12,128

 

 

----

----

----

 

 

Liabilities and Equity

 

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

5

151

1,255

127

 

 

----

----

----

Total Liabilities

 

151

1,255

127

 

 

----

----

----

Equity

 

 

 

 

Called up equity share capital

6

808

808

808

Share premium

8,880

8,880

8,880

Profit and loss account

 

2,012

1,847

2,313

 

 

----

----

----

Total Equity Shareholders' Funds

 

11,700

11,535

12,001

 

 

----

----

----

Total Liabilities and Equity

 

11,851

12,790

12,128

 

 

----

----

----

 

Diane Clarke Matt Wood

 

Unaudited Cash Flow StatementFrom 1 April 2015 to 30 September 2015

1 April 15

to 30 Sept 15

1 April 14

to 30 Sept 14

1 April 14

to 31 Mar 15

Unaudited

Unaudited

Audited

£'000

£'000

£' 000

Cash flows from operating activities:

(Loss)/Profit for the period

(180)

(207)

380

Adjustments for:

Increase/(Decrease) in payables

24

395

(733)

Decrease/(increase) in receivables

60

607

1,705

Decrease/(increase) in inventory

185

(187)

(521)

----

----

----

Net cash flow from operations

89

608

831

Interest received

-

-

1

----

----

----

Net cash received from investing activities

-

-

1

Dividends paid

(121)

-

(121)

----

----

----

Net cash from financing activities

(121)

-

(121)

----

----

----

Net (decrease) / increase in cash and cash equivalents

(32)

608

711

----

----

----

Opening cash position

882

171

171

----

----

----

Closing cash and cash equivalents

850

779

882

----

----

----

Notes to the Unaudited Interim Financial Statements:

 (1) Accounting policies

 

Basis of accounting

The unaudited interim financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. The accounting policies and methods of computation in the unaudited interim financial statements are the same as those of the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2015.

 

(2) Earnings per share

The loss per share for the period was 0.22p (H1 2014: loss of 0.26p). The calculation of loss per share is based on the loss on ordinary activities after taxation of £180,000 for the period (H1 2014: loss of £207, 000) and the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period under review remained unchanged at 80,783,334 (2014: 80,783,334).

 

(3) Coin inventory

At the end of each financial year, the coin inventory is re-valued to market value less the VAT payable on sale. Inventory purchased since 31 March 2015 is included at its original cost price and under the current valuation policy has not been the subject of any revaluations. The valuation of the portfolio held as at 31 March 2015 was carried out by industry experts and only those coins held by the Company for at least 12 months were the subject of a revaluation exercise. This is considered by the Directors to give a fair value for the inventory. The Directors anticipate undertaking a further revaluation exercise for the coming financial year end.

 

(4) Trade and other receivables

 

 

As at

As at

As at

 

 

30 Sept 15

30 Sept 14

31 Mar 15

 

 

Unaudited

Unaudited

Audited

 

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

Trade debtors

 

-

1,129

83

Prepayments and other debtors

 

45

74

22

 

 

----

----

----

Total

 

45

1,203

105

 

 

----

----

----

 

There are no trade debtors due at 30 September 2015.

(5) Payables

 

 

As at

As at

As at

 

 

30 Sept 15

30 Sept 14

31 Mar 15

 

 

Unaudited

Unaudited

Audited

 

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

Trade creditors

 

143

1,243

23

Accrued expenses

 

8

12

57

Other Creditors

 

-

-

47

 

 

----

----

----

 

 

151

1,255

127

 

 

----

----

----

All creditors are due within one year.

 

 (6) Share capital

 

 

As at

As at

As at

 

 

30 Sept 15

30 Sept 14

31 Mar 15

 

 

Unaudited

Unaudited

Audited

 

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

Authorised

 

 

 

 

Ordinary shares of £0.01 each

 

2,000

2,000

2,000

 

 

----

----

----

Allotted, called up and fully paid

 

 

 

 

Ordinary shares of £0.01 each

 

808

808

808

 

 

----

----

----

 

(7) Preparation of the Interim Report

This report was approved by the Directors on 18 November 2015.

The results for the period ended 30 September 2015 are unaudited and do not constitute statutory accounts as defined in the Companies Act.

Additional copies of this report are available from the Company's registered office, Ground Floor, West Suite, Exchange House, 54-58 Athol Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 1JD or via the Company's website www.avarae.com.

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
END
 
 
IR GGGPGGUPAUWB

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